The Appointments Committee of the cabinet appointed Distinguished scientist Samir V Kamat as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Kamat will succeed G Satheesh Reddy who has been named as scientific adviser to the defence minister. Kamat has been appointed to the post till he attains the age of 60 years or until further orders.
A statement from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) said, “Appointment of Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Distinguished Scientist and Director General, Naval Systems & Materials as Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO from the date of his assumption of charge till he attains the age of 60 years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”
DRDO is the research and development wing of the Defence Ministry. Reddy was appointed as DRDO chief in August 2018 for two years. He was given two years’ extension in the post in August 2020.
